THE motorcyclist who died in a road accident at the weekend has been described by his mother as ‘the rock that held everything together’.

Since the fatal accident on Saturday, tributes have been pouring in for Andy Hinves, who lived in Leatherhead.

The 26-year-old biking enthusiast was killed when his silver Suzuki motorbike crashed into a tree on the A246 Epsom Road at about 11.50am last Saturday. Mr Hinves was taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Mr Hinves’ mother Sheila has paid tribute to her ‘strong and compassionate’ son.

She said: “He was a wonderful person, warm, generous, he had a wicked sense of humour and he was so dearly loved.

“We’re devastated, we don’t know where we’re going. He went out in the morning, the last words he said were, ‘see you later guys, I love you’, that was Andy. I could never replace him.”

Andy had two older siblings David and Karen but was also used to foster children coming into his home.

Mrs Hinves said: “I am a foster mum, we probably had about 200 people over the years. Andy accepted everybody that came in, I think this made him the strong, compassionate person that he was. He had such a large heart and he shared it with so many.

“His nickname was Teddy, everybody cuddled him, he was the rock that kept everything together, that is how everybody saw him.”

Mr Hinves attended St Mary’s, Woodfield and Therfield schools and worked at Northamber, an online company selling electrical equipment.

Mr Hinves’ hobbies included going to the gym and kickboxing with friends from Northamber. The night before he died, he found out that he had passed his six months probation and would be able to stay in his job permanently.

Following the accident customers at his favourite local pub The Woodman held a minute silence in his honour.

“He would enter a room and the place would light up. I’ve lost the most precious thing, I really don’t know how we’re going to get over this. He’s going to be missed by us so much,” added Mrs Hinves

Neighbour Terence Davison has lived in Epsom Road for about 20 years and has known the Hinves family since they moved in five years ago.

He said: “He was a lovely boy, a giant, but harmless, wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“I was just talking to him the other day, I think my wife saw him leave, we keep waiting for him to come back, we just can’t believe it.”

Mrs Hinves believes there could be up to 200 people at the funeral, processing from their house in Epsom Road to St Mary’s Church in Fetcham. The date for the service is not yet known.

Surrey Police is appealing for witnesses to the collision or urging anyone with information to call 01483 639 922.